The band's membership has seen much turnover, including a revolving cast of drummers in the 1970s and the departure of singer Rob Halford in 1992. Tim "Ripper" Owens, formerly of Winter's Bane, replaced Halford in 1996 and recorded two albums with Judas Priest, before Halford returned to the band in 2003. The current line-up consists of Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis. The band's best-selling album is 1982's Screaming for Vengeance, with their most commercially successful line-up featuring Ian Hill, Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, guitarist K. K. Downing, and drummer Dave Holland. Tipton and Hill are the only two members of the band to appear on every album.
Halford's operatic vocal style and the twin guitar sound of Downing and Tipton have been a major influence on heavy metal bands. Judas Priest's image of leather, spikes, and other taboo articles of clothing were widely influential during the glam metal era of the 1980s. The Guardian referred to British Steel as the record that defines heavy metal. Despite a decline in exposure during the mid-1990s, the band has once again seen a resurgence, including worldwide tours, being inaugural inductees into the VH1 Rock Honors in 2006, receiving a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2010, and having their songs featured in video games such as Guitar Hero and the Rock Band series. In 2022, Judas Priest were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Priest
Studio albums
Rocka Rolla (1974)
Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)
Sin After Sin (1977)
Stained Class (1978)
Killing Machine (1978)
British Steel (1980)
Point of Entry (1981)
Screaming for Vengeance (1982)
Defenders of the Faith (1984)
Turbo (1986)
Ram It Down (1988)
Painkiller (1990)
Jugulator (1997)
Demolition (2001)
Angel of Retribution (2005)
Nostradamus (2008)
Redeemer of Souls (2014)
Firepower (2018)
Invincible Shield (2024)
Killing Machine
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never walk a straight line, so never get surprised
I don't ask no favors, so don't get abused
I learned to win when I was young
So I'm never ever going to lose
They pay me the money and I do the job
I got a contract on you
I never ask no questions, I never speak my mind
I always found that silence helps to keep me and my kind alive
I take care of business, it takes care of me
I look after myself and do it well
Because somebody's always looking for me
They pay me the money and I do the job
I got a contract on you
I got a contract, on you
What manner of man am I?
A gun, lump sum and then I move on
What manner of man are you?
Stab a friend's back to jump a queue
I do what I do because I can't do nothing better
You do what you do, just defending yourself
Because you got nothing better to do
I got no face, no name, I'm just a killing machine
I cut the population down, if you know what I mean
I never stop in one place, I move about the cities
Got expensive tastes, but I hasten to add that
I'm the best that there is
They pay me the money and I do the job
I got a contract on you
I got a contract, on you
I got a contract on you
I got a contract on you
The lyrics of "Killing Machine" by Judas Priest describe the persona of a hitman who leads an elusive and dangerous life. The hitman never tells the truth, never walks a straight line, never asks for favors, never questions his job, and is always on the move. In essence, he is a killing machine with no face or name, just a gun and a contract to eliminate his targets.
The hitman's motto is to take care of business because it takes care of him. He is loyal to no one and trusts no one, even though somebody is always on the lookout for him. The hitman revels in his reputation as the best at what he does, sets his sights on taking out his targets, and moves onto the next job with efficiency and precision.
The lyrics suggest a certain sense of resignation on the part of the hitman, who sees himself as having no other choice than to continue doing what he does best. Perhaps he feels he lacks the skills necessary to work in other professions, or maybe he is in too deep and cannot escape. "Killing Machine" paints a dark picture of a life of violence and isolation, where trust is scarce, and everyone seems to have an agenda.
Line by Line Meaning
I never give true answers, I never tell no lies
I am dishonest and untrustworthy, and will say anything to get what I want.
I never walk a straight line, so never get surprised
I am constantly shifting my allegiances and behavior, so my actions are difficult to predict.
I don't ask no favors, so don't get abused
I refuse to rely on anyone else, so I cannot be hurt or manipulated.
I learned to win when I was young
So I'm never ever going to lose
I developed a winning mentality from an early age, and I am confident that I will always come out on top.
They pay me the money and I do the job
I got a contract on you
I got a contract, on you
I am a hired killer, and I have been paid to eliminate you.
I never ask no questions, I never speak my mind
I always found that silence helps to keep me and my kind alive
I keep to myself and remain silent, because it is safer for me to do so as an assassin.
I take care of business, it takes care of me
I look after myself and do it well
Because somebody's always looking for me
I focus on my work as a killer, because it is my means of survival in a dangerous world.
What manner of man am I?
A gun, lump sum and then I move on
What manner of man are you?
Stab a friend's back to jump a queue
I question what kind of person I am, but justify my actions as a mercenary. I contrast my morally bankrupt behavior with that of opportunistic backstabbers.
I do what I do because I can't do nothing better
You do what you do, just defending yourself
Because you got nothing better to do
I acknowledge that my work is unethical, but claim that it is the only option available to me. I criticize those who pass judgement on me while struggling themselves.
I got no face, no name, I'm just a killing machine
I cut the population down, if you know what I mean
I never stop in one place, I move about the cities
Got expensive tastes, but I hasten to add that
I'm the best that there is
As an assassin, I don't have an identity or personal connections. I am skilled and efficient, and make a living by reducing the population through violence. I enjoy luxury, but my sense of pride comes from being the best in my field.
I got a contract on you
I got a contract on you
I reiterate that I have been hired to kill you, and there is no escape from my job.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thedronedownunder3919
I'm 53 and this Album was a massive part of my youth 🎸🎸🎸
@peterbrown8578
same here i,m 54
@kevinnixon6816
54, still rocking to Judas Priest !
@americafuckyea2789
I'm 31 and just found this song. My buddy has almost all their albums, he put me onto them tonight, started with Painkiller. Amazing album. All I ever heard of them was their radio hits, "You Got Another Thing Comin" n such. I now see why they are so venerated. Gonna check out Ripper's albums soon.
@albertmojicajr
Same here Craig Duncan. Definitely. "57" AMJ metaltomotown
@albertmojicajr
@peter brown👍metaltomotown "57" 🤘
@brosty_Star
His voice is just too perfect
@MetallianDefender
That's why he is referred to as the Metal God!
@Stickleback
I spent alot of my later teenage years through into my 20`s blasting 70`s Judas Priest, Killing Machine Album is one of Priest`s finest🤘
@user-tz3xj2mt7z
Самая хладнокровная песня! Хард рок и рифы в Машине Для Убийств просто шикарны!